All It Takes Is A Goal

I'm turning 50 on December 19 (presents welcome), and as I approach the half-century mark, I've been reflecting on the lessons that have meant the most to me. When you're in your 20s, you don't have hard-fought wisdom, but at 50, there's no denying you've been around the block a few times. In this episode, I'm sharing the first five of ten life-changing lessons: how your thought life becomes your life life, why you reap what you sow (and how that's made me write 12 books), why a naturally negative person like me discovered that positivity has a better ROI, why you are the cavalry you've been waiting for, and the truth about having enough time. These aren't just philosophical musings—they're the practical principles that turned my life around at 34 and have shaped everything since. If you only steal one lesson from this list, make it the first one about soundtracks. Stay tuned for the final four lessons next week. You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now! In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Episode Artwork Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

Don't know what to get for that person who has it all? I've got you covered. This year's Try This Gift Guide features 11 items the Acuff house absolutely loved or made in 2025—from the card game that teaches you everything about a person (SkyJo) to the weighted backpack that's making me look ridiculously in shape (GoRuck), to the brand-new Soundtracks Card Decks that are the perfect stocking stuffer. You'll also discover the best calendar ever made (yes, I'm biased), customized luggage tags that will save you at the airport, a book about bookstores that will restore your faith in humanity, and the greatest running shoes I've ever owned. Most of these are pulled straight from our Amazon order list, so they're easy to get and quick to ship. Get ready to surprise and delight everyone you know—from travelers to runners to book lovers to that spunky aunt in Santa Fe. Merry Christmas! My Gift Guide: SkyJo Card Game GoRuck Backpack Soundtracks Card Deck The Heart Aroused by David Whyte Galaga Handheld Arcade 150 Bookstores You Need To Visit Before You Die by Elizabeth Stamp Tom Bihn Bags, I personally use the Pilot bag, our family has loved the Large Tote bag this year The Greatest Year Ever Calendar Brooks Hyperion Max 2 running shoes Pomodoro Timer Customized luggage tags As a bonus gift to yourself, you can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now! In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Episode Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

I am my niece and nephew's favorite uncle—mostly because I'm their only uncle, but a win is a win. Election years turn every family gathering into "squirrely uncle season," and Thanksgiving is ground zero. You've got relatives who think differently, believe differently, and this year, vote differently. Before you get into a political argument that could cost you a decades-long relationship, here's one soundtrack to remember: "Politicians are temporary, family is forever." In this episode, I'm breaking down why you shouldn't do long-term damage over short-term politicians, how to set boundaries with difficult relatives, and what Andy Stanley said about winning arguments but losing relationships. This will be the 8th or 9th president of my lifetime—I've only had one dad and one mom. Do the math before you flip the table. And whatever you do, don't grab the pecan pie on your way out. Nuts ruin dessert. You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now! In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Episode Artwork Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

Last year, I read more than 100 books. This year, I cut that goal down to 25—and actually got more out of them. After realizing I was flying through books without retaining much, I slowed down and found four that earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf. In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite reads of 2024: a cutthroat business memoir from the cofounder of CAA (with an amazing 10-minute meeting trick), a beautifully illustrated book about overthinking, a faith book that pulled me beyond my standard understanding, and a weird poet's guide to courting your wild twin back from the forest. Whether you're a business builder, an overthinker, a person of faith, or someone who's played it too safe, there's something here for you. Plus, I'll tell you which of my own books to start with if you're new to my work. You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now! You can find the 4 books right here: Who is Michael Ovitz? by Michael Ovitz (Bonus) Powerhouse by James Andrew Miller Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldredge Thinking About Thinking by Grant Snider Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Have me speak at your next event!

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to binge on other people’s success stories? Podcasts, books, courses—it all feels productive, but sometimes it’s just procrastination in disguise. I call it being a success voyeur. You’re peering through the glass, watching other people build remarkable lives, while your own goals collect dust. I know, because I did it too. In 2024, I read 100 books and didn’t change my life one bit. It wasn’t learning—it was hiding. In this episode, I’ll share how I stopped watching success and started creating it again. If you’ve been stuck in research mode, this one’s for you. It’s time to get out of the stands and back into the game. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Viviana Rishe on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

I've written 11 books, but I didn't have a 10-year plan. I just got tired of my fearful mindset dictating my entire life. In my mid-30s, I threw my first bottle into the ocean—and it changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing why you need to throw yours too. Here's the metaphor: You're on an island called "My Life," and the things you create are tiny notes you shove into bottles. When you throw them with courage and conviction, they float away to shores you've never seen—bookshelf, Spotify, Etsy, Amazon, maybe even Estonia. Someone opens that bottle and says, "This was made for me." You've never met them. You've never been to their city or country. That's the magic. When we make things, we change. When we share them, other people change. I don't know what your bottle is—a book, album, business, podcast, painting, or something else entirely—but I know it's time to throw it. We're all waiting. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by A R on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

A viral tweet recently claimed that 30-year-olds today can't afford what previous generations could—a house they like, a decent car, a $100K salary, and a stay-at-home spouse. Here's the truth: I was 30 in 2006 and only achieved half of that list. We had seafoam green carpet, a purple bedroom, squirrels living in our roof, a 2-door Camry with 150,000 miles, and a two-hour commute. But we were building something. In this episode, I'm breaking down why people procrastinate when they create impossible-to-achieve dreams, why you shouldn't be discouraged if you can't have all of it right now, and why trying anyway is an act of rebellion. Instagram tells you everyone else has it all. The media tells you you'll never get it. Don't fall into that procrastination trap. Pick the parts you want first and give a little on the others. In a world addicted to fear, hope is an act of open rebellion. Be a rebel. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

81% of Americans want to write a book. Only 2% actually do. What's the difference between wanting and doing? One word: deadline. In this episode, I'm breaking down why deadlines are the secret weapon for finishing any goal—whether you're writing a book, getting in shape, or finally decluttering that garage. Your Peloton is collecting dust, your planner has cobwebs, and that Ninja Creami is just an expensive paperweight because you're missing this crucial element. I'll show you how to create real deadlines (not fake ones) for any goal, why a goal is actually a promise you make to yourself, and how to join the 2% who actually finish what they start. Because books don't finish themselves, weight doesn't lose itself, and garages don't clean themselves. That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photos Photo by Jeremy Bishop and Photo by Road Ahead on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

Building a business and building a family both require one thing: being brave enough to be bad at something new. In this episode, Jenny and I talk about the soundtracks that have helped us stay sane through marriage, parenting, and every learning curve in between. From why the honeymoon should come six months in, to how we’ve learned to “not buy tickets” for each other’s anxious train rides, to the soundtrack that reminds us we’re raising adults, not just kids. We also unpack the logic trap of arguing with toddlers (spoiler: snacks solve more than you think) and why drawing hard lines out of frustration never works. These mindsets have kept our home peaceful, our marriage strong, and our family grounded - even in airport meltdowns. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Have me speak at your next event!

Building a 7-figure business while staying married for 25 years doesn't happen by accident. In this follow-up episode, I'm sharing four more marriage secrets that have helped Jenny and me not just survive but thrive together. You'll discover why "I wouldn't bet against us" became our rallying cry when people doubted our dreams, how playing to our strengths means I handle parking while she handles money (and why we always go to bed at the same time), and what "hit the squirrel" really means when you're trying to see the big picture. Plus, I'll tell you why the best way to learn about someone isn't dinner—it's card games. These aren't just relationship tips; they're the soundtracks that helped us build a business, raise kids, and create a life we never thought possible. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

After almost 25 years of marriage, my wife Jenny and I have learned a few things that actually work—not just the clichés you hear everywhere. In this episode, I'm sharing four practical "soundtracks" we use in our marriage and parenting that have made all the difference. From knowing when to pause an argument (hint: we do better with coffee) to understanding that winners actually quit all the time—just the wrong things—these aren't your typical relationship tips. You'll also discover why "everything is always working out for us" isn't toxic positivity but a powerful mindset shift, and how "family shows up" became our guide for being present when it matters most. These secrets work so well, our kids have started saying them too. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photos by Christopher Jolly and Katie Harp on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

Feeling overwhelmed by all your goals? You're not alone—and that's exactly why we're starting with something different. Instead of brainstorming more things to do, let's celebrate what you've already accomplished. In this episode, I'm sharing the opening lesson from my Greatest Year Ever program, including the simple "I Did That!" exercise that builds the confidence you need for your biggest goals. You've already done hard things—you just haven't given yourself enough credit. Whether you graduated from school, traveled somewhere new, survived a challenge, or helped someone else, it all counts. Let's fill up your encouragement tank before we tackle what's next. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Nicolas I. on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

I recently told someone they should print out these 8 words and carry them in their wallet (which makes me sound ancient because who has a printer anymore?) But seriously, if you only remember 8 words from me in 2025, let it be these: "Big life, small worries. Small life, big worries." Here's the thing—if you want small worries, live a life so big you don't have time to stress over the little stuff. Stress grows in the big open chunks of unclaimed time. When I'm writing a book or planning an event, I don't have mental energy for social media drama or one-star Amazon reviews. But when I don't have a mission? That's when I can camp out on stress for days. Your retired uncle watching political news 12 hours a day? He chose a small life and now has bandwidth for big worries. The solution isn't pulling back from big opportunities—it's going all in on your big life and watching your worries shrink. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Andrew Ly on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

What if the formula for a remarkable life was so simple you could write it on a sticky note? In this episode, I share the exact mindset shift that took me from stuck in Atlanta traffic to building a life I love. You’ll hear the story of how I stopped blaming my commute, my boss, and my circumstances, and discovered that the cavalry I'd been waiting for was actually myself. The truth? Your thoughts create your actions, and your actions create your results. Remarkable or average... it’s your choice. Plus, I invite you to the Mindset Reboot, a free two-day event where you’ll learn how to take control of your thoughts so you can finally create the life you want. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! I'm hosting a free two-day Mindset Reboot starting September 10th where I'll show you exactly how to replace those limiting thoughts, and finally finish what you start. Register now for free! Change your mindset. Change your life. See you inside the Mindset Reboot!

Apparently, hope is controversial now. Who knew? I've been posting about hope lately, and people have been telling me I'm tone deaf because the supply chain is broken and the economy is terrible. One of my friends literally can't be happy until the supply chain is fixed (even though he doesn't work in supply chain). When did we start tying our personal lives to global numbers we don't control? I spent nearly 20 years as an excuse factory—blaming my parents, my boss, the economy, my background—and it got me nowhere. Then I discovered something radical called personal responsibility. In this episode, I'm sharing my simple philosophy: hope hard, work hard. Start where you are with what you have. Because here's the truth—you can't wait for the world to be perfect to change your own life. The only way to change the world is to change you first. I'll share how getting up early to pay off a car loan eventually led to building two kindergartens in Vietnam. Small changes spread. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Eddie Kopp on Unsplash I'm hosting a free two-day Mindset Reboot starting September 10th where I'll show you exactly how to replace those limiting thoughts, and finally finish what you start. Register now for free! Change your mindset. Change your life. See you inside the Mindset Reboot!

There are only two words standing between you and the book you've always wanted to write, the business you want to start, and yes, even millions of dollars. Just two words. According to the University of Scranton, 92% of New Year's resolutions fail—and it's because nobody knows about these two powerful words. Here's the thing: nothing is successful on the first attempt. Nothing. Fear isn't afraid of your first try (we're a single-serve culture), but it's terrified you'll take that second step. In this episode, I'll break down the four main reasons people don't try again—from the hurt of the last attempt to mentally rehearsing failure until it becomes a tattoo instead of henna. Plus, I'll share how trying again got me through writing my 11th book after throwing away three half-finished drafts. Because here's what I need you to know: trying again isn't failure or embarrassing—it's the first gigantic leap toward mastery. In This Episode: Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

I'm going old school today—70s and 80s motivational guru style. You know those thick plastic binders with cassette tapes that made you want to run through walls? That's the energy I'm bringing. This episode is different. It's a short, highly motivational boost designed to be replayed whenever you're discouraged and need that little bit of juice. Because today isn't just another average Monday—there's no such thing as average days when we're guaranteed none and given this one. Today is an adventure, an invitation to edge country where anything is possible. We can plan and predict, but the day speaks in dares, not formulas. So download this one, save it for a rainy day, and remember: killing your dreams because you're afraid they might get bruised is a trade-off you should never make. Today is much like you—one of one. In This Episode: Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

Let’s end this series with one of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve learned: Throw shorter pity parties. In the final episode of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m sharing why it’s okay to feel the sting of failure—but not okay to camp out in it forever. I’ll unpack the difference between processing and pity, and challenge you to stop RSVPing to every pity party you throw for yourself. Let’s talk about what it looks like to feel it, process it, and then move forward. In This Episode: Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Eastman Childs on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

This one hit me right between the eyes. In Part 5 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m talking about a mindset I’m still learning to believe: Growth is the goal, not comfort. It’s easy to quit when things get awkward, inconvenient, or uncomfortable. I’ve done it with goals like YouTube, and I’ve pushed through it with goals like writing my first book. Today I’ll show you why discomfort isn’t a sign something’s going wrong—it’s a sign something’s going right. In This Episode: Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by O F on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

In Part 4 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m unpacking a simple but powerful mindset shift: Win the way you’ve won before. You’ve already succeeded at something in your life—and that win left clues. Today I’ll show you how to find them, repeat them, and bring that momentum into your next goal. Whether it’s a health goal, a career goal, or a personal one, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to remember what worked—and do it again. In This Episode: Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!